“Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:”
That has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing, as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth — the gospel 'has come to you' (parousia) is present reality. 'Bearing fruit and growing' (karpoforeo kai auxanō) uses botanical language for gospel expansion. The two verbs emphasize both productivity and increase: the gospel is alive, not static. 'Among you' shows the gospel's local manifestation. The phrase 'understood the grace of God in truth' (epignōsis tēs charitos tou Theou en aletheia) combines knowledge and grace: understanding grace is transformative.
Church Fathers on Colossians 1:6
“Which has come unto you, even as it is also in all the world.” He now gives them credit. “Is come,” he said metaphorically. He means, it did not come and go away, but that it remained, and was there. Then because to the many the strongest confirmation of doctrines is that they hold them in common with many, he therefore added, “As also it is in all the world.” It is present everywhere, everywhere victorious, everywhere established. “Bearing fruit.” In works. “Increasing.”…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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